Settlement Deal Reached in iPhone “Antennagate” Lawsuit

Apple reached a settlement late last week in a class action lawsuit alleging the company sold the iPhone 4 knowing the combination iPod and smartphone’s antenna system was flawed. Participants in the lawsuit are eligible for Apple’s Bumper case, which is exactly what Apple gave customers who complained about signal interference issues.

The class action lawsuit claimed that Apple misled customers by intentionally withholding information about antenna performance on the iPhone 4. Attorneys jumped on the issue after reports surfaced showing that holding the iPhone 4 in a specific way could cause signal strength to drop.

Apple responded to the allegations by claiming all cell phones can lose signal strength when held in certain ways, and even held a press conference to discuss the issue. Former CEO Steve Jobs said during the event that iPhone 4 owners could request a free Bumper Case, or even a full refund if they weren’t happy with their new iPhone.

Customers that had already purchased a Bumper Case could request a refund, too.

“This settlement relates to a small number of customers who indicated that they experienced antenna or reception issues with their iPhone 4, and didn’t want to take advantage of a free case from Apple when it was being offered in 2010,” an Apple representative toldCNET.

iPhone 4 owners in the U.S. will get emails by April 30 detailing how to participate and claim the free Bumper Case they could’ve already picked up over a year ago.

Participants in the lawsuit are eligible for Apple?s Bumper case, which is exactly what Apple gave customers who complained about signal interference issues.

Translation: Those that got greedy and didn’t take the bumper case that was offered win….the same bumper case after paying for all those expensive lawyers for the last couple of years.

Old Apocryphal Story
Two guys were walking on the shore. They both saw an oyster and started arguing who it belonged to. Along came a lawyer who offered to settle the case. He opened the oyster, ate it, and gave each man one of the shells.

There’s a reason whenever I got a letter from a lawyer saying I could register to be part of a class action suit I just ash can it.

Got a notice some long ago. Filed it away in the round file. Put file away in transfer station. But I did take the free bumper from Apple. Don’t see a difference using the iPhone with or without it on. The protection for the back of the phone is nice.